Tropidia polystachya (Sw.) Ames
Young Palm Orchid
Facts About
Accepted Synonyms: Chloidia vernalis, Polystachya membranacea
Tropidia polystachya, commonly known as the Young Palm Orchid, is distributed from the tip of Florida south through the West Indies, from Central America, Venezuela, and the Galapagos Islands. This plant produces 1-5 dark green pleated leaves and the young stems may be partially concealed by bladeless tubular sheaths. The inflorescence is densely flowered with greenish white partially open flowers arranged in a terminal panicle. The labellum is white with a bright yellow disc in the central portion. This orchid blooms in late September through October in deeply shaded, moist hardwood, limestone hammocks.
Tropidia polystachya is apparently secure based on its wide distribution in the New World tropics, however, it is extremely rare and endangered in Florida.
Ecosystem Type
Forests, woodlands
Characteristics
- Habitat:
- terrestrial
- Leaf arrangement:
- alternate
- Number of leaves on stem:
-
- two
- three
- four
- five
- Form of the labellum:
- the labellum is pouch-like
- Labellum outline:
- the labellum is lobed
- Main color of labellum:
- white
- Nectar spur:
- absent
- Inflorescence type:
- the inflorescence is a raceme
- Labellum characteristics:
-
- the labellum is lobed
- the labellum is saccate
- Labellum length:
- 4–6 mm
- Sepal length:
- 6–7 mm
- Plant height:
- 10–35 cm
Native to North America
Yes
North American Conservation Status & Distribution
Conservation Status
| Conservation and Wetland Status | |
|---|---|
| Global Rank | Apparently Secure |
| US Status | N/A |
| Canadian Status | N/A |